Hafez · Ghazal 241 · Companions, remember your friend of the night
معاشران ز حریف شبانه یاد آریدحقوق بندگی مخلصانه یاد آرید
به وقت سرخوشی از آه و ناله عشاقبه صوت و نغمه چنگ و چغانه یاد آرید
چو لطف باده کند جلوه در رخ ساقیز عاشقان به سرود و ترانه یاد آرید
چو در میان مراد آورید دست امیدز عهد صحبت ما در میانه یاد آرید
سمند دولت اگر چند سرکشیده رودز همرهان به سر تازیانه یاد آرید
نمی‌خورید زمانی غم وفادارانز بی‌وفایی دور زمانه یاد آرید
به وجه مرحمت ای ساکنان صدر جلالز روی حافظ و این آستانه یاد آرید
This ghazal has a single refrain: remember. If good fortune is carrying you forward, or if you are about to reach something you have hoped for, Hafez asks you not to forget those who walked beside you in harder times. Even a small sign of remembrance, a word, a glance from the saddle, means a great deal to an old friend. The turning age is not always faithful, so be faithful yourself. You may also be the one waiting to be remembered; if so, trust that true companionship leaves its mark, and kindness tends to return.
Companions, remember your friend of the night;
remember the rights of sincere service.
In your time of high spirits, remember the sighs and laments of lovers
to the sound and song of harp and castanets.
When the grace of the wine shows in the saqi's face,
remember the lovers with song and melody.
When you bring the hand of hope to the waist of your desire,
remember the days of our companionship in the midst of it.
Though the steed of fortune may run headstrong,
remember your fellow travellers, even with the tip of the whip.
If you will not grieve for a moment over the faithful,
remember the faithlessness of the turning age.
As an act of mercy, O you who sit in the seat of glory,
remember the face of Hafez and this threshold.